Official Rules of NCAA-Level Baseball

Maximum bat length is 36″ (2 5/8″ diameter) for non-wood bats and 42″ for wood bats. Maximum weight may not be more than 3 units less than the weight e.g. a 35″ bat must weigh at least 32 ounces and have a coded certification mark (BESR).

[OBR 3.02a: Maximum bat length is 42″ with a diameter of not more than 2 3/4″; no weight restrictions.]

A bat that has been flattened or altered to improve performance is an illegal bat. If such an illegal bat is detected before the first pitch, the batter shall be called out and the bat shall be removed from the game. If an illegal bat is detected after the first pitch, legal or illegal, the batter shall be declared out, and base runners shall not advance as a result of a batted ball. The bat shall be removed from the contest.

[OBR 6.03a4:If a batter uses or attempts to use a bat that, in the umpire’s judgment, has been altered or tampered with in such a way to improve the distance factor or cause an unusual reaction on the baseball, no advancement on the bases will be allowed (except advancements that are not caused by the use of an illegal bat), and any out or outs made during a play shall stand. In addition to being called out, the player shall be ejected from the game and may be subject to additional penalties as determined by his League President. A batter shall be deemed to have used or attempted to use an illegal bat if he brings such a bat into the batter’s box.]

At the time of the pitch, a coach must position himself no closer to home plate than the front edge of the coach’s box and no closer to fair territory than the edge of the coach’s box nearest the field.

[OBR 4.05b2: Coaches are to remain in the coach’s box at all times except when signaling to a player. He must have both feet in coach’s box at the time of the pitch.]

The offense may have three charged conferences per game, with one additional conference in extra innings. A total of four offensive conferences are allowed. Unused offensive conferences are added to the one extra innings conference.

If a batter hits with an altered or flattened bat as opposed to illegal bat, the bat is replaced if detected before the first pitch. If detected after the first pitch, the batter is declared out and no runners may advance.

[OBR 6.03a4: The batter is ejected and out; runners return, any other outs stand.]

An appeal ends if the defense errs and the ball becomes dead, runners advance or a fielder other than the catcher is in foul territory at the time the umpire puts the ball into play after time had been called. Defensive players may move to back up first or third base once the ball has been made live.

When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who is in clear possession of the ball, the umpire shall judge: If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line with clear possession of the ball, the runner may slide into to make contact with the fielder as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base (plate). There are additional nuances to this rule.

[OBR 6.01i: A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate), or otherwise initiate an avoidable collision. If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner attempting to score initiates contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate) in such a manner, the umpire shall declare the runner out (regardless of whether the player covering home plate maintains possession of the ball). In such circumstances, the umpire shall call the ball dead, and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the collision. If the runner slides into the plate in an appropriate manner, he shall not be adjudged to have violated this rule.]

The pitcher may not wear a bandage or other distracting item on his pitching hand or fingers or attach tape or material of a color different from his uniform or glove to his glove, arms or clothing. Distracting tattoos must be covered.

[OBR 3.07b: The pitcher may not put on his glove any foreign substance that is a different color from his glove.]

On the fourth and each successive charged conference during regulation play, the pitcher must be removed, except he is also removed on the second trip in one inning. If second trip in same inning, the player may not return as a pitcher for the remainder of the game.

[OBR 5.10L2: When the pitcher is removed on the second trip in the same inning, he may not remain in the game.]

Note: This list includes only functional differences. In other words, in cases where there is no rules provision in one code or a minor difference and the guidelines are to treat as essentially the same in both codes, no listing is included. Also, full detail is not provided in some cases; the reader is encouraged to check the reference.